Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Southeast Missouri State
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Lady Racer offense fizzles in 72-62 loss to Southeast Missouri
1/7/2006 6:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
SEMO (7-7, 4-3 OVC) only shot 36.7 percent (11-for-30) in the first half and made six turnovers to MSU's two in the first half to keep the game close with a 27-20 SEMO lead at halftime. The Lady Racers hit six of its 28 first-half shots (21.4 percent).
In the second half, the Redhawk offense turned it up, hitting 57.1 percent (16 of 28) from the field and holding MSU to 38.7 percent (12 for 31) in the half.
Southeast Missouri State got out to as much as a 26-point lead with 9:21 left in regulation, but Murray State fought back, closing the game with a 12-2 run.
With SEMO leading 70-50 with 3:59 left in the game, freshman guard Amber Guffey hit two free throws, then junior forward Gerraca Matthews hit two free throws with 2:13 left. SEMO's Wanika Owsley hit a free throw to put the Redhawks ahead 71-54 with 1:29 remaining, but Guffey hit a jumper and junior forward Joi Scott hit a three-point play to cut the lead to 71-59 with 37 seconds left. Owsley hit one more free throw with 11 seconds remaining, but junior guard Ashley Brooke Hayes hit a three-pointer as time expired to trim the lead to 10.
Murray State was led by Scott's 19 points on 8-for-15 shooting from the field and nine rebounds, both team-highs. Hayes added 13 points, two assists and two steals, while Guffey had 10 points, going 6-for-6 from the line.
Junior post Erica Gordian grabbed eight rebounds for the Lady Racers, while junior post Paige Adlich had seven.
Murray State was 23-for-24 from the line, including a 15-for-15 night in the second half. Matthews and sophomore guard Shaleea Petty each went 4-for-4, while Scott went 3-for-3.
Southeast Missouri State was paced by Tatiana Conceicao, who scored 16 of her game-high 23 points in the second half. She also had a game-high 11 rebounds and was 8-for-13 from the field.
Natalie Purcell added 13 points and five rebounds for the Redhawks. Simone Jackson grabbed seven rebounds and had five assists, while Owsley had a game-high six assists and two steals.
Murray State concludes its three-game homestand against Austin Peay on Thursday at 3 p.m. The game time is to allow time for set-up for the men's game, which will be televised on ESPN-U, and begins at 6 p.m.
